CHAIRMAN Mike Taylor welcomed members our meeting on Monday, April 4 at the Abbey Hotel, Malvern. Members then stood in respect to the memory of Malcolm Hodges, a long time Malvern Probus member whose had sadly passed away.
Two guests were then introduced before business matters were speedily dealt with.
The next outside visit for members and their guests will be to Madresfield Court on May 18 when we have 25 places already booked. Full details will be shortly circulated.
Our speaker Gerald Brooke then began his story of time spent in Soviet prisons as a ‘Guest of the KGB’. Arrested in 1965, for taking illegal literature into the country, he spent a total of four years in custody, initially in the notorious Lubyanka prison in Moscow which was also the HQ of the KGB. Based upon those experiences and more recent visits to Russia, we gained valuable insights into the mind and mentality of those in state security and the low levels of political consciousness present to this day.
Colin Weir thanked Gerald for sharing what had clearly been life changing experiences, specifically noting the relevance of it for our understanding of the situation today.
On Monday, April 18 there is the AGM. This will be followed by two Malvern Probus members, David Harris and Robin Clarke who will entertain us with stories of their respective careers.
We meet in the Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern. Refreshments are available from 10am and the meeting begins at 10.30am. Guests are very welcome. For further information please email programme secretary, t.batesworc@btinternet.com
TONY BATES
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